Mind The Gap?

It’s not uncommon for adults to have gaps between their teeth, especially the upper two front teeth. While some people find those spaces charming and attractive, many of those with gaps consider them unsightly and embarrassing.

If you’re ready to close the gap, there are there are relatively simple, quick and inexpensive ways your dentist can help. At one time the only solution was braces, but these days, it’s possible to fix gaps cosmetically using dental veneers.

What are veneers? They’re very thin shells usually made of porcelain or composite resin that are attached to the front of the teeth to hide gaps and other imperfections.

To apply composite resin veneers (a process also called bonding), dentists apply a mild chemical to roughen the tooth surface so the resin sticks. Using a composite resin that matches your tooth colour, the composite resin is applied, hardened with a bright light and then shaped and polished to look smooth and natural. It’s easy, quick and relatively inexpensive.

If you decide on porcelain veneers, the process is a bit more complicated, but still simple and cost efficient. It starts with freezing, then a thin layer of enamel is removed. A mold of your teeth is made and temporary veneers are applied. When the permanent veneers are ready, the temporaries are removed and a chemical is used to roughen the surface of the teeth. The porcelain veneers are attached with composite resin cement.

Have a gap to fill? Talk to your dentist and see if you’re a candidate for veneers.

Dental Inlays and Onlays… They're No Joke!

It truly can be frustrating to be laughing with friends over a good joke only to in the back of your mind be sub-consciously thinking about how everyone can see the inside of your mouth. Over time, your old gray fillings may be wearing down, eroding or even broking. What if there were a simple means of correcting these problems towards restoring a more youthful looking smile.

Tooth coloured porcelain inlays and onlays provide a more conservative solution than conventional crowns by providing a longer lasting and more natural looking smile. If more than half of the biting surface of a molar has decayed, it is often wise to use an inlay or onlay rather than a filling. An inlay is similar to a filling, but lies within the cusps (bumps) on the chewing surface of the tooth. An onlay is more extensive than an inlay and covers one or more cusps.

A dental inlay or onlay is a solid; one piece filling that is cemented into or onto your tooth and can usually be applied in just two visits. At the first visit, the dentist prepares the tooth for the new inlay or onlay while also making an impression of the tooth for what will be the custom creation of a porcelain inlay or onlay that will fit exactly into your tooth. Also during this first appointment, the dentist will place a temporary sealant on your tooth and schedule your second appointment. During the second appointment, the dentist correctly fits the inlay or onlay and bonds the tooth with a strong bonding resin, the tooth is then polished smooth.

With dental inlays and onlays, the end result is a stronger result with a much better look. We invite you to contact our office for more details.